| Copyright 1998-2002, MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries. "Ancestry Daily News" (http://www.ancestry.com/rd/dailynews.htm) June 12, 2002 edition. |
| Your Union Ancestor in the Civil War, by Karen Frisch |
| If your great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, he played an active role in changing the history of our nation. The soldier fighting for the Union had not only his convictions, but the strength of the federal government behind him. Despite its early losses the Union Army was far superior to the Confederate Army. The Union had more men, money, and military supplies--a great advantage in a war that the North expected to win in six months, but that stretched into four years. From majors to privates, all soldiers saw action. Private George Cheek, Co. D, 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers felt the most important event of his service was "our march from Burksville Station to Danville to cut off Johnson's retreat. We marched 112 miles in five days." Another veteran had the honor of shaking hands with President Lincoln at City Point, VA at the war's end. |
| Going off to war, the Union soldier might have taken with him a "housewife" -- a sewing kit to repair clothing made by a wife or mother whose picture he might also have brought. He was issued a tin cup, canteen, and half a tent to join with another half, forming a pup tent for two. He was probably fairly young. Seven out of 10 enlisted Union men were under age 23. He ate better than his Confederate counterpart. His daily ration included a pound and a quarter of beef, a pound of flour, a few ounces of dry beans and green coffee, and small amounts of sugar, salt, pepper, candles, soap, and vinegar. During campaigns he rarely had his full ration and often had to forage to survive. In camp in the evening he generally listened to the banjo or harmonica or played cards with other men in his unit. He might have carried a copy of "The Soldier's Pocket Book," a little volume intended to boost morale, or possibly the Bible. An infantry private was paid $13 per month. When he had occasion to fire a musket, it took him time to get off a shot. Shooting required seven separate motions. Buoyed by the national sense of patriotism shared by most, he retained an attitude of bravery and high spirits throughout the war. |
| He might well have required hospital care at some point. Union Army hospitals treated over six million cases. The Sanitary Commission did their best to see that appropriate medical supplies were continually delivered to military camps. Still, twice as many died from disease as from bullets. Diarrhea and dysentery killed over 44,000 Union soldiers. While hospitals were lacking in hygiene, surgeons were available to treat the Union wounded. Treatment with opium was so common many became addicted and remained that way after the war. If no hospital was close by, surgery was often done on a table in the farmhouse of the resident who lived nearest the battle. Most soldiers underwent surgery while totally conscious. The lucky ones received a bit of morphine to deaden the pain. |
| If your ancestor died at war, your chances of finding his grave are slim. He is probably buried in a grave that is marked but unidentified. More than half of all Union graves contain the remains of unidentified soldiers. Soldiers were often buried in forgotten locations. Possibly the most tangible proof of his service were the buttons from his uniform or other personal effects. It was customary to remove the buttons from the uniform of a soldier who had died in battle and return them to a widow or mother along with any other belongings. Most Union soldiers were average men whose years serving in the Civil War were far from average. |
| Born and raised in Rhode Island, Karen Frisch has been an avid reader since childhood when she also developed an interest in writing and drawing. She has traced her lineage back thirty generations to the year 1100 through England, Scotland, Germany, and Wales. A former teacher, she received a Master of Arts in Victorian literature from the University of Rhode Island, with courses at the University of London, and holds undergraduate degrees in English and art from Rhode Island College. She is the host and writer of "Pet Talk," an award-winning cable television show on pets, and she is active with Volunteer Services for Animals, working to aid homeless animals. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband, a daughter adopted from China, and two dogs. |
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